Environmental Risk Assessment & Modelling
Modelling Officer, Environmental Forecaster or Modeller, Data Analyst

The Sector
The environmental risk sector employs modellers, environmental forecasters and risk professionals focusing on maximising the use of environmental data to improve decision-making. Environmental modelling is set within the context of environmental risk assessment and risk management and decision makers use these outputs to decide on the best course of action for managing risks.

Sector Profile
There is a growing trend of employment in modelling and risk assessment as decision-makers attempt to make best use of environmental data. The ENDS directory reviews career prospects in risk assessment within consultancy, and reports a growing demand across the sector for specialist skills. The ENDS careers report can be found at www.endsdirectory.com.

Issues and Trends
The private sector is concerned about the avoidance of exposure to accidents, liabilities and prosecutions. Managing risk is a core business activity and most companies employ specialist environmental consultants to assist in auditing and assessing their liabilities. Many companies have stringent regulatory requirements that require substantial pre-market environmental testing. They employ environmental modellers to assess the environmental fate and transport of new chemicals and their potential impacts.

Many non-government organisations (NGOs) also employ specialist technical staff. These organisations are more likely to seek issue-based skills (e.g. waste campaigner, toxics adviser etc) rather than pure modelling or risk expertise. Many staff in NGOs combine a technical specialism with campaigning interests to ensure that campaigns have a sound basis in science.

The environmental consultancy sector is the largest employer of modellers and risk professionals in a variety of roles, e.g. environmental impact assessment, permitting, auditing, divestiture and acquisition, contaminated land assessment and the preparation of industrial safety cases.


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